Polo Fields and Facility to be Gated
 

A recent decision might be upsetting to some, but changes are planned. It is scheduled that on Monday, the north gate at the polo fields will be closed to the public. In addition electronic gates will be installed at the south SE entrance. The polo fields and all the facilites located there will now be totally controlled by the Recreation Department. The freedom to come and go at will will be curtailed and activities wanting to use the polo facilities will have to be reserved thru the Rec Department. I don't have the information how this will affect the many walkers who use the streets circling the polo fields. The model airplane club can only use the back field Monday thru Friday from 7 AM to 12 PM.

Somehow it could have been phrased to be not so gloomy and doomy. I read it three times and it doesn't sound like a conspiracy or an awful thing. You have to reserve a room at the rec center. I guess this falls under the same kind of thing. Tell me how I am wrong.

I hope someone will keep us informed about what happens with the walkers around the polo fields. I used to go there on occasion with Sport.

You have to be able to get in thru one of the gates IF the model airplane club is going to be using the back field.

The polo fields are owned by a different entity.

That is a shame. Mom enjoys us taking her on a golf cart ride along the rear fence line to view the horses. Oh well....

A different entity? According to the Sumter County website, the polo fields are owned by THE VILLAGES OF LAKE-SUMTER, 1020 LAKE SUMTER LNDG, THE VILLAGES, FL 32162.

That's the developer.

I think pqrstar is saying the Polo fields are owned by an entity different than most of our recreational facilities. We, our CCD's, have no control over their use other than that which the owner may grant.

I see many reasonable a varied reasons why the owner may be controlling access to his property.

You probably have never used the polo facility for an activity. The E flyers lost three quarters of their available time to fly. The back polo game field hours were cut in half and the North practice field was eliminated altogether. Personally, I cannot imagine any group ever using the North practice field. I expect it to go totally unused. Time will tell won't it ????

True, but I suspect only during their reserved hours of 7 to 12 weekdays. It was my understanding the facility will be monitored much like the pools. There are a few loose ends that need attention. I truly don't believe the details of the electronic gate have been worked out. I am sure my information about the gates is correct.

I am at a loss as to the reason for your post. The polo fields are absolutely owned privately, but the Villages Recreation department WILL be the entity in charge of scheduling all activities conducted on the private property.

Aren't 95% of the recreation facilities south of CR466 still privately owned?